New Jewish website debuts

Albany – A new website that showcases Jewish life and culture in a 16-county area that includes the Capital Region has debuted at www.jbiztechvalley.com.

The idea of Marc Gronich, a political journalist who has covered the state Capitol since 1978, jbiztechvalley.com includes a directory of Jewish-owned businesses, a listing of synagogues and a blog.

Gronich is also the founder of Statewide News Service, which he launched in 1981.

“This area boasts more than 50 congregations, 600 Jewish business owners, Jewish-run not-for-profit organizations and many Jewish educational opportunities from preschool to adult education classes,” Gronich said. “There are more than 20,000 Jews living in the 16 counties comprising the greater Capital District.”

“We are a diverse, strong, lively and energetic community breaking new ground in everything from retail to medicine, from technology to innovative ways of doing business.”

The website has listings of Jewish civic and educational organizations, summer camps and scout groups.

The business directory includes more than 600 listings.

A news feed from the Jerusalem Post is included in the News Jews Can Use section of the website.

Businesses can list for free.

“You don’t have to do anything more than identify as being Jewish to be included on the JBizTechValley.com website,” Gronich said.

The online directory seeks to encourage the Jewish community to support local Jewish-owned businesses, make newcomers aware of the local Jewish community and portray the vibrancy of local Jewish life and culture.